4 Candidates Vie For 2 Seats On Yantis ISD Board Of Trustees In May 2 Election
At the close of filing, Yantis Independent School District Board of Trustees had four candidates filing for two seats on the school board.
Incumbents Jennifer McKeever and Melissa Stephens are challenged by Teresa Starrett and Jennifer Larkin for their seats on the school board.
Voters within Yantis ISD will be asked to select up to two candidates to serve for a full three-year term on the school board. The two candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to the board of trustees.
Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted from 7 am. to 7 p.m. April 20 and April 27, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21-24 and April 28, at Wood County Annex, 200 West Bermuda St. in Quitman.
Applications for ballots by mail must be received by Laura Wise, Elections Administrator, PO Box 970, Quitman, Texas 75783, no later than the close of business on April 20.
For more information about Yantis ISD, visit the school website. Listen to KSST Radio 1230 AM and check out the KSST website for stories about Yantis ISD and other area school districts.
Man Jailed Saturday Accused Of Sex Crimes Involving 2 Young Children
The weekend arrest of 50-year-old Rodney Lee Harrison was the result of a joint investigation by Sulphur Springs Police Department and Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigators into allegations of sex crimes involving two children. Child Protective Services and McKinney Police Department also aided in the case.
“He was on the run for seven days before McKinney Police Department took him into custody Friday at an apartment in McKinney,” Sulphur Springs Police Detective Sgt. David Gilmore said Tuesday.
Local law enforcement officials were first contacted in the early morning hours of Feb. 2 regarding the alleged sexual abuse of an 11-year-old child. During the investigation, officials received information alleging the youth had been sexually abused multiple times over a period of 1 1/2-2 years.
The offenses were alleged to have occurred in both Sulphur Springs as well as the Pickton area. Thus, investigators from both Sulphur Springs Police Department and Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office worked together on parallel investigations regarding Harrison, according to police investigators. Child Protective Services personnel were also contacted.
Officials sought and obtained a warrant Feb. 7 for Harrison’s arrest for continuous sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony offense with a punishment range of 25 to 99 years or life in prison if a defendant is convicted, according to Gilmore.
Through the course of investigation, Harrison was also accused of one count of indecency with another child, a 9-year-old, by sexual contact. Another warrant was sought and obtained for Harrison’s arrest on that second-degree felony charge on Feb. 11, according to the police detective.
Officials looked for Harrison for seven days before he was apprehended on Feb. 14 on both warrants as well as a speeding warrant.
“We were in contact several days with McKinney Police Department’s intelligence unit. The defendant was arrested Friday morning at an apartment complex in McKinney on the warrants,” Gilmore said. “The investigation continues.”
Rodney Lee Harrison was transported later Friday from Collin County jail to Hopkins County jail. He remained Tuesday, Feb. 18, in Hopkins County jail in lieu of $150,000 bond on the continuous sexual abuse of a child charge and $100,000 bond on the indecency with a child charge, according to arrest reports.
The arrest is not the first time Harrison has been in the county jail, according to jail reports. He was jailed Aug. 8, 2018 on a violation of parole warrant; he remained in Hopkins County jail until Sept. 12, 2018 on that charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
SSISD Open House Schedule 2020
Sulphur Springs ISD welcomes parents to attend an open house on March 2 – 5, 2020. For your child’s school, see the schedule below.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed After Allegedly Firing Weapon During Disturbance
Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 44-year-old Sulphur Springs man for allegedly firing a weapon during a disturbance involving stepsisters, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 3:24 p.m. Feb. 17 to County Road 2436, where a 911 caller allegedly told dispatchers the resident’s stepsister had entered her County Road 2436 residence and a gun was shot at the ground.
Sheriff’s officials were allegedly told the female resident’s husband (later referred to as her fiance) had shot at an intruder, the woman’s stepsister, because the stepsister “broke into their residence and confronted them, causing them to be in fear for their lives.”
The resident then claimed “the stepsister grabbed a gun sitting on the couch,” Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Sgt. Shea Shaw and Deputy Aaron Chaney alleged in arrest reports. The male resident, Samuel Patrick Bryant, alleged the gun went off during a struggle when he tried to get the gun away from her. He later claimed the gun went off when he dropped it, the Shea and Chaney alleged in arrest reports.
During a review of 911 recordings, the caller was reportedly heard saying that the man had shot into the floor due to the stepsister being unwanted inside the and to scare her away, the sheriff’s deputies alleged in arrest reports.
After further investigation, reviewing evidence and statements, deputies believed Bryant shot into the floor at the woman’s feet, not as out of fear for his life but, as an intimidation method while the two stepsisters were arguing, Shaw and Chaney alleged in arrest reports. The stepsister and Bryant allegedly live at the same address, owned by a family member, in different structures, according to arrest reports.
Bryant was arrested at 4:43 p.m. Feb. 17 on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. He remained in the Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Feb. 18, in lieu of $50,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
4H Member Aspen Mayhew Prepares for Hopkins County Junior Market Show
Aspen Mayhew is a well-spoken 7th-grade student at Sulphur Springs Middle School, as well as a member of Hopkins County 4H Club. During a brief interview at the KSST studios, Aspen gave an idea of what it’s like to get your livestock project ready for the large local event, the ‘Hopkins County Show’, to be held in the Civic Center arena on February 27 and 28, 2020. The NETLA, or Northeast Texas Livestock Association’s Sale of Champions will take place on Saturday February 29, 2020.
“This year I am showing chickens again. It’s about a 6-week project, start to finish. First, in January, you receive your 25 chickens ordered through our 4H chapter. You begin raising them, which is largely feeding them, keeping a close eye on them, and keeping their bedding clean. The most challenging thing is probably the cleaning, because they get all riled up and scared when you have to change the bedding! But they settle back down soon and begin to eat again. The chickens have a lot of weight and size to gain in a short period of time! Drafts and cold can be a problem when the weather turns real wintery. Inside the barn, I put up a tarp to cut down on drafts and I usually keep a heat lamp on them depending on the temperature. Chickens are very prone to cold and can die! Along the way, you begin to see which of your 25 chicks are going to grow into the best chickens. At some point, I have to cull them. Culling means I separate the show candidates from those I will not be showing. The culls we go ahead and raise anyway in separate quarters, and they ultimately will make good meals for our family. Again and again I have to cull the chickens because I am going to want only the three best specimens for the Show. And validation of my entry is another step in the process. When late February comes and show day is finally here, I transport my ‘pen’ of three chickens to town to the Civic Center arena. That morning, judges will come by and assess all the chicken projects. We have to ‘show’ them, or hold them up for the judges to examine. We may be asked to say something about our project, or answer any questions the judges may ask. When that’s done, all of us showing chickens can give a big sigh of relief because we have gotten that far! The last thing comes a bit later in the day, finding out how our project has placed in the judging, and if it “made the sale”! That is a very exciting time! For me, the most gratifying thing about raising a chicken project is winning! And I know that the getting up early, the feeding, cleaning, culling and lots of time just watching out for their health and growth has it’s benefits, too”.
Aspen’s history with showing livestock goes back to her first year as a fourth grader new to her 4H Club. She has shown cattle as well as chickens. “I earned a showmanship ribbon last year with a heifer, and another year I earned Reserve Champion in the Hopkins County show and at the Ft Worth Livestock Show with cattle. My former project, Venus, was a two-year-old Braford, and she died this week during delivery of her calf. I am very sad to lose her because I had raised her and cared for her all this time, but I must realize that is part of raising livestock”. Aspen plans to keep on raising and showing animal projects during the next few years, and to learn all she can. When asked what advice she has for youth raising livestock projects in hopes of selling them for scholarship money through the NETLA organization, Aspen answered ” Don’t get frustrated if you don’t win the first time you show. You will learn a lot from that. It’s actually a journey!”
Teen Reportedly Fatally Injured While Working On Vehicle
An 18-year-old was reported found dead on FM 1567 east in what is believed to be an accident while working under a vehicle, according to sheriff’s officers.
The teen’s girlfriend reportedly found him at the FM 1567 east residence; Authorities were contacted at 2:06 p.m. Feb. 17. Sheriff’s officers responded. The teen was reported to be deceased. Based on initial investigation, the teen is believed to have been working underneath his vehicle when the jack slipped, crushing him, according to Hopkins County sheriff‘s officers.
The teen has been identified by authorities as Darrell Puckett, 18, of Sulphur Springs. An autopsy has been ordered as is standard procedure, according to Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer.
Main Street Theater Presents “Death by Chocolate” in Six Performances Feb. 28-Mar. 8
Also check out the entire 2020 season offered by Sulphur Springs Community Players at the Main Street Theater, 225 Main Street!
Suspect In Feb. 5 Shooting Identified, Sought By Police
Sulphur Springs Police Department released the following Tuesday morning, Feb. 18, regarding the shooting at a local apartment complex:
“The Sulphur Springs Police Department has identified a suspect in the February 5, 2020, shooting incident at Spring Valley Apartments, in the 800 block of Fuller Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas
“In the course of the investigation, Detective Jason Reneau determined Brandon Clayton Soles was involved in the shooting incident and a warrant has been issued for Soles’ arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Soles has an address in the Mineola, Texas area.
“Anyone with information as to Soles’ location is asked to please call Det. Reneau at 903-439-3832. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 903-885-2020 with your information.”
Saltillo Sending 3 To National Beta Contest
Saltillo ISD Beta Club represented the school well at the BETA State Convention at the Gaylord Texan this weekend. Overall, Saltillo ISD had 29 students attend the competition in Grapevine, Texas, February 14-15.
Saltillo has three students advancing to National Beta Competition Fort Worth in June, including one student who placed in two different events.
Garrett Tarver went home with top honors in both Black and White Photography Division II and Creative Writing Division II.
In Black and White Photography Division I, freshman Tori Collard won first place honors.
In Recyclable Art Division II, third place went to Saltillo’s Alyssa Smith.
Lady Cats Basketball Team’s Season Ends At Bi-District Against Jacksonville Monday
What seemed like a long rebuilding year for the Lady Cats Basketball Team ended Monday with a bi-district loss to Jacksonville, 55-26 at Tyler Junior College. It’s the second year in a row, the Maidens ended the Lady Cats’ season.
The Lady Cats came in as their district’s number four seed and Jacksonville was the district 16-5A champion with a perfect 14-0 district mark. The Maidens are ranked #13 in Class 5A and they improved their season record to 24-8.
The Lady Cats ended the year with a record of 11-24. They were 3-7 in district play.
The Lady Cats struggled all season after losing four starters off of last year’s team and then injuries came. Despite all of this, the Lady Cats made their way into the playoffs. They will lose only two seniors off of their playoff roster of 10 players: Colbria Harrison and the versatile Kate Womack.
On KSST and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show, Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell said she was proud of her team for winning a playoff spot after their disappointment in losing their final district game to Texas High.
Monday night, junior Nylah Lindley led the Lady Cats with 11 points. Senior Kate Womack, freshman Kenzie Willis and sophomore Hannah Cordell all scored 4 points. Freshman Addisyn Wall had 3 points.
Monday evening the Lady Cats quickly fell into a hole against Jacksonville and they trailed 25-4 after one quarter. After that, the Lady Cats played the Maidens pretty close. Jacksonville only outscored the Lady Cats 7-5 in the second quarter, 15-10 in the third quarter and 8-7 in the fourth quarter.
Jacksonville had four players in double figures led by Tamia Tucker with 15 points.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
